SINGAPORE, May 16 (Xinhua) -- Singapore will acquire two new Type 218SG submarines as part of the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN)'s modernization effort, said the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) on Tuesday in a press release.
The new submarines will replace the older submarines, with an expected delivery from 2024 onwards, announced Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen at the opening ceremony of the International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference Asia 2017.
MINDEF added that the Type 218SG submarines incorporate design innovation and advanced maintenance and engineering concepts to optimize training, operation and maintenance costs.
"They will also be equipped with significantly improved capabilities like modern combat systems and Air Independent Propulsion systems," the statement added.
The purchase is part of the RSN's submarine force renewal program to meet operational requirements. In 2013, Singapore acquired the first two Type 218SG submarines which they are projected for delivery from 2021.
